lovely day

just what i wanted.
thank you, Valincy!

Introducing eeny, meeny, miny, moe

Our tomato plants in various stages of growth brought temporarily indoors to be salvaged from the tornado-like winds tonight. Which one is your favorite?

Garden Comeback

Pardon our absence...we've been busy these past few months readying our garden with the high hopes that we can truly eat locally this summer. Our goal: from garden to table. Highlights below.














And here's a sneak peak at the latest garden triumph! (more to follow)

Valincy's back!

Valincy's arm is still in a sling, but she has adapted beautifully to life single-handedly. And the best part is she is back in the kitchen! Lucky me because my weary cooking self was nearing exhaustion and inspiration.

Yesterday, she surprised me with this amazing brunch: toad-in a hole (one of my favorite brunch dishes ever). So simple yet so delicious! It's literally eggs and toast but presented in a completely non-traditional way guaranteed to bring anyone's inner child out to play.

Cut a hole in a piece of bread (you can use a small cup or jar), and place in a heated, buttered pan. Crack an egg into the center of it and cook to desired firmness. Flip to brown both sides.

Valincy topped it with crispy bacon along with a spoonful of strawberry jam.
Serve with freshly-made french press coffee.
Cantaloupe optional.

Ahhhh...one-handed goodness!
Welcome back Valincy!!

Restoration

This past week I made another amazing recipe from Bittman's How to Cook Everything. The recipe's name doesn't do it justice: Chicken and Garlic Stew. Doesn't sound very appealing. It should be called "Heal Thyself." It calls for four ingredients:chicken, garlic, parsley and cinnamon. I was inspired to make it because on Sunday night Valincy fell fracturing and dislocating her right shoulder. The week has been all about adapting to the circumstances. And I wanted to make food that was healing and restorative. You basically throw everything in a pot and cook it on low for an hour. Largely unattended. Perfect when you are caring for a bed-ridden patient. The chicken and garlic become so tender. Serve with crusty bread which you can dip in the broth or spread with the roasted garlic. The cinnamon is the perfect flavorful touch. I also made mashed white sweet potatoes to accompany the stew. Simple and delicious. Here's to Valincy's speedy recovery!

enero first

We celebrated the first day of 2010 with a delicious brunch followed by a pilgrimage to Coney Island to pay respects to the ocean. Homemade biscuits, scrambled eggs, pork sausage with cheese and parsley, baked pears and pancakes. Then on to Coney Island with Hudson, our dog. The light was amazing. The ocean air invigorating. And Hudson got to swim, swim, swim and fetch, fetch, fetch. His most favorite thing to do. We all left happy. The perfect first day of a new year and decade!

2010 Revive

revive hope
revive dreams
revive passion
revive prosperity
revive love
revive happiness


we have high hopes for 2010!
happy new year!!

Sara + Valincy